AN historic city hotel has been put on the market after the owners decided to take on a new challenge.

The Grade II listed Castle Hotel, which is located a few feet away from the castle and cathedral in Westgate, Lincoln, has an asking price of £549,950.

Owner Mark Worrall and his family took over the 19-bed hotel in 2004 and extensive renovations have been carried out over the last five years.

He said that the hotel was the ideal size for someone who wanted to run a business without compromising on family life.

"Of course you always get attached to something when you've worked so hard for it and I really hope that the new owners continue with its development and enjoy it as much as we have," said Mr Worrall.

The family now plan to move away from Lincolnshire and take on another business.

The Castle Hotel, which first began to operate as a hotel in 1979, has an annual turnover in excess of £468,000 and achieves a gross profit of around 83 per cent.

Over the decades, the Castle Hotel served as a school, evening institute, parish rooms, army cadet centre, Sunday school, riding school, occupation centre, repair workshop and finally a hotel.

The building now contains 20 bedrooms, the Knight restaurant and two lounges.

The owners' flat has two bedrooms as well as a kitchen diner and lounge with views over the cathedral.

Bryan Williams, who is chairman of the Lincoln Hotel and Guest House Association and manages the White Hart Hotel in Bailgate, said: "Managers of hotels tend to stay for around three years before they move on.

"If you're an owner-operator it's a very different job. Sometimes you have to take on a new challenge elsewhere to keep it interesting."

For the full story see Saturday's Lincolnshire Echo.